Kargil: Demanding year long connectivity with the outside world thousands of people staged a massive protest rally here on Saturday to press State and Central Governments to act on oft repeated promises of construction of Zo-jila tunnel and an airfield.
The protest was organized by influential socio-religious institution Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT).
The protesters marched through main bazars of Kargil and culminated at Lal Chowk demanding early execution of work on Zoji-la Tunnel, Air connectivity and transparent digital connectivity in the landlocked district.
The protesters were raising slogans like , Na Insafi Nahi Chalegi, Sharam Karo Sharam Karo- Modi Sarkar-Sharam Karo and We want Justice.
Speaking on the occasion Maulana Abbass Karari, the Vice-Chairman, Religious Affairs IKMT, said that since 1947 the people of Kargil have been denied the basic rights by both the State and the Central governments and the district has been ignored in all spheres of development. He urged the governments to take stock of the situation and take immediate steps and said that the patience of the people of this region is running out and there is urgent need to take concrete steps.
Karrai recalled Prime Minister Modis promises made to the people of Kargil that he will develop Kargil like Kutch.
Due to continuous deprivation and discrimination we the people of Kargil are losing faith in democracy and government should not take our loyalty for granted, Karrari said to a thunderous applause.
Maulana Karrari said, Kargil has not been granted a college for women, nor a dependable air connectivity. He said promise to reopen Kargil-Skardu road or TurtukKhapulu road is delayed on the pretext of security. But I would say Kargil is secure not because of you but because of people of Kargil.
He said IKMT will soon announce a protest calendar if they get no favourable response from the authorities.
Chairman, IKMT Kargil, Sheikh Muhammed Hussain Lutfi, while highlighting the strategic importance of Zoji-la tunnel said that the delay in start of work has come as shock to the people of Kargil district, who are solely dependent on this crucial project. The work on Zojilla tunnel should be executed. Besides commercial air service should be started in Kargil, he said and appealed government to fill up the vacant posts lying in different government departments.
The government should not treat us like non- Indianans and if they continue to do so we will be compelled to rethink about our loyalty and affiliation, Lutfi warned.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
ACT NOW |
MONTHLY | Rs 100 | |
YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |